COTABATO CITY—In line with the celebration of 7th Organic Agriculture Month, 22 different cooperatives from City of Cotabato, provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao Del Sur, and Special Geographic Areas (SGA) of BARMM received different organic inputs and chemical supplies from Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) on Nov. 26, 2021 held at MAFAR Covered Court, BGC, Cotabato City.
The celebration, with the theme “Organikong Pagsasaka, Sagot sa Pandemiya”, is an annual activity intends to promote the practice of organic agriculture nationwide, as a farm system, being considered as an effective tool for development, environmental conservation, and health protection of farmers, consumers and the general public.
The agricultural inputs distributed, amounting to Php846,374.00 under the 2021 General Appropriations Act for Bangsamoro (GAAB)—a regular program funds of MAFAR, were: organic fertilizers, sweet potato cuttings, ginger, molasses and foliar fertilizers.
MAFAR Chief of Operation for Agriculture Services Tong Abas mentioned that the purpose of distribution of organic inputs to the farmer cooperatives is one way of the Ministry’s strategy in promoting and encouraging the organic farming in the region.
“We want our farmers to practice organic farming in their respective areas using high value crops, especially during this time of pandemic because they could earn income from it,” Abas said.
“In fact, several farmers saved their livelihood using organic farming as their alternative or main source of income such as planting upland rice, vegetables, and spices, among others during this time of difficulties,” he added.
Furthermore, both Miss Nora Rebote of Talapas Integrated Organic Farmers Association based in Datu Montawal, Maguindanao and Mr. Malony Tulawi of Greenland Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Upi, Maguindanao expressed their heartfelt gratitude to MAFAR and Bangsamoro Government for their continuous support, especially during this time of pandemic. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
